What are my chances?

[me1433]

Ok, so I applied to the Air Force Academy earlier this year, and am simply curious about my odds.

I have a 3.7 weighted GPA at a competitive high school

Still awaiting results on congressional nomination

Have taken all AP and honors courses available to me

Member of Computer Science club

Member of Math Honors Club

Have won 2 district titles for 400m dash and 4x400m relay

2 years Honors Chinese

Marching band for 4 years

Football for 2 years

track for 3 years, two of which were on varsity

720 Math/720 Reading/690 Writing

272 hours community service

National Hispanic Merit Scholarship winner


I know my GPA is a little low. I think USAFA rounded it down to 3.2. I passed all my CFA's and did well in my interview.

What are my chances/what else should I do to better my odds?

[Triple111]

You look pretty good!

Theres nothing you can really do to better your odds at this point, that's something that should have been done before applying. However, keep working on fitness and keep your study habits up to par, because if you do get accepted, that's what will count.

[fencersmother]

You look fine - on paper. I suggest you take a gander at the "Accepted to USAFA Prep" thread.

[GemStateMom]

Hi everyone. I have a "what are the chances" question as well. DS has very good (in my probably biased opinion) qualifications, has a congressional nomination, but is two points below the "cutoff" on the science portion of the ACT. Does the Air Force Academy ever offer an appointment if one of the scores is too low? Thank you for any input...

[futureAFA]

If you can, retake ACTs and send in the new scores.

[futureAFA]

Originally Posted by me1433

Ok, so I applied to the Air Force Academy earlier this year, and am simply curious about my odds.

I have a 3.7 weighted GPA at a competitive high school

Still awaiting results on congressional nomination

Have taken all AP and honors courses available to me

Member of Computer Science club

Member of Math Honors Club

Have won 2 district titles for 400m dash and 4x400m relay

2 years Honors Chinese

Marching band for 4 years

Football for 2 years

track for 3 years, two of which were on varsity

720 Math/720 Reading/690 Writing

272 hours community service

National Hispanic Merit Scholarship winner


I know my GPA is a little low. I think USAFA rounded it down to 3.2. I passed all my CFA's and did well in my interview.

What are my chances/what else should I do to better my odds?

What did you do for community service? If it was 136 different two hour jobs that were just picking weeds, it won’t look nearly as good as if it was one organization, and you helped create it, or took a leadership role in it. You don’t seem to have much leadership listed, that is the only thing I notice. Other than that you look fine.

[luckymacy]

Originally Posted by me1433

What are my chances/what else should I do to better my odds?

No one can answer that to your satisfaction. Here's another angle to look at your chances. Let's say none of your Senators nor the VP pick you at all and they were your only potential sources besides your Rep. Now you are just down to your Rep. You could be one of only two people applying for the USAFA nom from your representative but he only has one slot opening up next year at the USAFA out of his 5 total possible slots. You came in second. You get a nom but the other kid gets the principle nom and he's triple qualified already. Your chances of getting in are zero, more or less, as I understand it unless one of the 5 slots opens back up again for your Representative.

Each MoC can only have 5 constituents attending each SA under their name at a time and the other senators didn't nom you so USAFA can't juggle names around to pull you in somehow. People like to talk about just getting a nom but with each MoC only allowed up to 5 from his district in the SA at one time the chances aren't great unless you are principle and/or LOA. It's like winning the half million dollar state lottery....

[me1433]

Originally Posted by futureAFA

What did you do for community service? If it was 136 different two hour jobs that were just picking weeds, it won’t look nearly as good as if it was one organization, and you helped create it, or took a leadership role in it. You don’t seem to have much leadership listed, that is the only thing I notice. Other than that you look fine.

My community service was split between National Honors Society and Young Men's Service League. I have served as head of a different committee in YMSL for the last 3 years, and am captain of the varsity track team this year. Sorry, didn't think to mention those in my post for some reason.


Oh and btw, thanks for the input, I truly do appreciate it.